SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, conducted a successful “static fire” test on its Starship rocket system. Engineers ignited 31 out of 33 of the engines at the base of the vehicle’s lower-segment, with the firing lasting only a few seconds while everything was clamped in place to prevent any movement. Starship is set to become the most powerful operational rocket system when it makes its maiden flight, which could occur in the coming weeks if SpaceX is satisfied with the outcome of the test. The static fire was conducted at the company’s R&D facility in Boca Chica on the Texas/Mexico border.

The owner confirmed on Twitter that 31 out of 33 engines were fired during the recent “static fire” test of SpaceX’s Starship rocket system. He noted that one engine was turned off before the test, and another stopped on its own, but emphasized that 31 engines were still sufficient to reach orbit. The N1 rocket developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s had 30 engines arranged in two rings, but it failed on all four of its flights and was eventually cancelled.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has completed a crucial “static fire” test on the lower-segment of its massive Starship rocket. During the test, 31 of the rocket’s 33 engines were ignited, lasting only a few seconds. Despite not using the full contingent of engines, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said it was “still enough engines to reach orbit”. Once fully operational, Starship will be the most powerful rocket in history, capable of sending humans and satellites into Earth orbit and beyond. It will even dwarf Nasa’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which flew for the first time in November. SpaceX has already been contracted by Nasa to develop a version of Starship for use in the Artemis programme, with the goal of landing astronauts on the Moon.

SpaceX has performed a static fire test on its Starship rocket system by igniting 31 out of 33 of the engines at the base of the vehicle’s lower-segment. Although two engines did not ignite, the test was deemed a success and Starship is set to make its maiden flight in the coming weeks. Starship, which will be the most powerful operational rocket system in history, is designed to be fully reusable, with both parts – the Super Heavy booster and the ship on top – returning to Earth to fly again. The long-term cost savings compared to conventional, one-time-use rockets would be immense. SpaceX plans to use Starship to send people and satellites into Earth orbit and beyond, with the ultimate goal of establishing settlements on Mars.

About the Company:

SpaceX is a private American space company founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2002. The company’s main goal is to revolutionize space technology and make humanity a multi-planetary species by developing reusable rockets and spacecraft.

SpaceX has achieved many milestones in space exploration, including being the first privately funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2012. The company has also landed and reused rockets multiple times, a significant breakthrough in reducing the cost of spaceflight.

In recent years, SpaceX has been working on developing its Starship system, which consists of a reusable spacecraft and a powerful booster that can lift payloads into orbit and beyond. The company has also been contracted by NASA to ferry astronauts and cargo to and from the ISS.

Overall, SpaceX is at the forefront of the commercial space industry and has made significant contributions to space exploration and technology.